tions generally; but is never seen on free Egyptians, except as an indication of extraordinary privation of

BARBERS.

domestic comfort, or absorption of mind in the ardour of war; as in the case of Rameses I. in his arduous campaigns. Even foreign slaves who were employed in domestic service, were obliged to conform to the cleanly customs of their conquerors; they could not appear until their heads and beards were shaved, after which they wore a close cap. *

Another mark of courteous hospitality, never omitted to an honoured guest, had reference to the general love of flowers which we have already mentioned as characteristic of the Egyptians. Necklaces made of the fragrant and beautiful blossoms of the lotus or water-lily, were brought by servants and thrown around the neck of each lady and gentleman of the party: a wreath of the same flowers was also put round the head, and a single flower was held in the hand during the entertainment, which was changed as soon as it began to fade; and the fre

* Wilk. iii. 358.

quency with which the guests are represented inhaling the odour of these beautiful flowers, proves how grateful this mark of attention was. Besides those, however, which were thus disposed about the persons of the guests, the room was adorned with chaplets and wreaths suspended on the furniture, and numerous bouquets were placed on stands prepared for the purpose, doubtless, in contact with

water.

The custom of reclining at meals, which was introduced into the Roman empire from Carthage after the Punic wars, was unknown in Ancient Egypt. The brethren of Joseph, when made to "eat bread" at his table," sat before him, the first born, according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth;"* and the same fashion prevailed† in Israel, and in Persia. The master and mistress of the house are frequently represented as occupying a broad or double chair, while single chairs accommodated the guests; in some instances, however, the reverse of this obtained. The elegant forms and elaborate construction of the furniture we shall have occasion to allude to on another occasion.

The freedom of intercourse which existed between persons of different sex is a thing particularly observable, in as much as it is perfectly in accordance with the accounts of Sacred Scripture, while it is the very opposite of the customs which have prevailed in the East, and even in Greece, from a period

* Gen. xliii. 33.

+ Gen. xxvii. 19; Judg. xix. 6; 1 Sam. xx. 5, 24, 25, &c.

Esth. iii. 15.

as far back as profane history extends. The infamous wife of Potiphar had abundant opportunities for her shameless assaults upon the virtue of Joseph, "as she spoke to him day by day;"* which shews that the seclusion of the modern harém was then unknown. And long before that, when Abram and Sarai went down to Egypt, "The Egyptians beheld the woman, that she was very fair: the princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh ;"* which could not have happened if it had not been customary for ladies to appear abroad unveiled. That such was the fashion the monuments

DOUBLE CHAIR.

abundantly prove; ladies and gentlemen are seen mingling in friendly intercourse with as much familiarity as in modern Europe. A married pair usually are seated side by side, with the wife's arm around the husband's shoulders; while with the consideration with which children were ever regarded by them, a

* Gen. xxxix. 10.

+ Gen. xii. 14, 15.

little boy or girl is frequently favoured with a seat by his mother's side, or on his father's knee.

Nor were the Egyptian ladies restricted in the use of the pleasures of the table: wine was handed round to them, equally with their male companions, at the commencement of the entertainment; servants carrying it round in small vases or cups of gold, silver, glass, or porcelain. Indeed the artists have not scrupled to delineate the most disgusting features of excess, in ladies under the effects of intoxication at social entertainments, and in gentlemen in helpless insensibility, carried home, by the head and heels, on the shoulders of their servants.

The interval that transpired between the assembling of the party, and the serving up of the dinner was filled up partly by conversation. "The chitchat of the day, public affairs, and questions of business or amusement, occupied the attention of the men. Sometimes an accident occurring at the house afforded an additional subject for remark; and as at the feast of the rich Nasidienus, the fall of a dusty curtain, or some ill-secured piece of furniture, induced many to offer condolences to the host, while others indulged in the criticisms of a sarcastic Balatro.*

"A circumstance of this kind is represented in a tomb at Thebes. A party, assembled at the house of a friend, are regaled with the sound of music, and the customary introduction of refreshments; and no attention which the host could shew his visitors ap

Hor. Sat. ii. 8. 54-72.

pears to be neglected on the occasion. The wine has circulated freely; and as they are indulging in amusing converse, a young man, perhaps from inadvertence, perhaps from the effect of intemperance, reclining with his whole weight against a column in the centre of the apartment, throws it down upon the assembled guests; who are seen, with uplifted hands endeavouring to protect themselves, and escape from its fall."*

The ladies, on the other hand, found materials of energetic discussion, in the various articles of their dress, the jewelled ornaments with which they were

LADIES TALKING OF THEIR EAR-RINGS.

so profusely decked, the elegance of their sandals, or the arrangement and beauty of their plaited hair.

The passion of the Egyptians for decorative jewellery was indeed excessive. Men as well as women delighted thus to adorn themselves; and the desire was not confined to the higher ranks, for though the subordinate classes could not afford the sparkling

* Wilk. ii. 365.